Dougie’s a cut above the rest!

A local man has cut inches off his hair to raise funds for a charity close to his heart, Alzheimer’s Society.

Dougie Dickson (28) from outside Castlerock, chose to raise the funds for the charity after his father was diagnosed with the disease when he was just 65.

Dougie, who works in Ballymoney Tesco, explained: “My hair has been long for a decade now and I always said that if I was going to get it cut I would do so for a charity, but never knew which one. I have decided this year that it was time for a change and finally settled on the Alzheimer’s Society as my charity.

“I chose this charity because my father John, who is 70, has the debilitating disease and this past year he has got quite bad with it. He no longer recognizes simple everyday objects for what they are and immediately forgets doing things after he has done them. For the moment he still knows who we, his family, are which is a small mercy.”

Wanting to help others going through the same situation and to raise more awareness of the disease, Dougie set himself £1,000 target and held the fund-raising and haircutting event in the lobby at Ballymoney Tesco on Saturday.

He added: “I worked for years in Limavady Tesco before moving with a promotion to the Ballymoney branch, where I have worked as their General Merchandise and clothing manager for the past four years. Those of you familiar with the shop and our events will know that I have dressed up as Mrs Brown a couple of times in the past for the Tesco charity partners events.

“On Saturday I collected a staggering £490 during the haircut and that with other cash donations and the justgiving website I have raised an amazing £1,800 and money is still coming in. I was aiming for £1,000 so I have gone way above that which is mind blowing.

“I would really like to thank everyone who helped, donated or supported me along this fund-raising journey especially Ballymoney Tesco for allowing me to hold the event there. I not only have a great sense of achievement that together we have raised a tremendous amount for a worthwhile charity but I also sent my hair to the little Princess Trust too. However I’m still getting used to my new hair style though.”